What a debut to the 2025 NFL fantasy season, as we got a bit of everything from the Week 1 weekend. With many risers, there were fallers as well that could either start a trend or are outliers and will bounce back for Week 2. As a fantasy manager, don’t panic on the top options that will likely play up to their 2024 standard in the coming weeks. However, there are things to note that could be what’s to come for the following weeks.
As Week 1 wraps up, fantasy managers are either celebrating unexpected heroes or lamenting underwhelming performances. Let’s break down the biggest surprises and disappointments from this week’s action.
Surprises of the Week
Fantasy Points: 29.5 (3rd-ranked QB for Week 1)
Why It’s Surprising: Nobody expected this coming, albeit, it was against the Miami Dolphins. However, Shane Steichen looks like a genius for starting Daniel Jones over Anthony Richardson, as Jones had the performance of the ages in their 33-8 win. The big thing is he didn’t turn the ball over and was efficient, along with his rushing ceiling being hit with two touchdowns.
Fantasy Impact: The Colts’ starting quarterback will likely be the top waiver quarterback option for Week 2. However, Jones does get a Denver Broncos defense that was the top-ranked unit last year, so be wary of spending a lot of budget or high priority on him in waivers this week.
Fantasy Points: 23.6 (PPR, 4th Ranked WR)
Why It’s Surprising:
Fantasy Impact: While Mike Evans is the obvious number one target, the rookie has to be considered as a must-start receiver two moving forward, with a juicy matchup against the Houston Texans in Week 2. The multiple touchdowns were surprising against the Atlanta Falcons, as Egbuka had four catches on six targets with 67 yards.
At least for now, we have our lead back in Jacksonville. Travis Etienne rebounded after a rough season in 2024 and looks to be a big-play, explosive weapon for Liam Coen. He has 16 carries for 143 yards and had three catches in the receiving game against the Carolina Panthers, finishing with 18.6 fantasy points in PPR, and was the 6th-ranked running back this week. Etienne gets a weak run defense in the Cincinnati Bengals for Week 2.
Disappointments of the Week
Fantasy Points: 4.6 (PPR)
Why It’s Disappointing: The consensus 1.01 pick in fantasy overall by most fantasy pundits, having just 2 catches on 5 targets (26 yards) against the Cleveland Browns, is probably why you lost the week. While many top receivers faceplanted this week, this is at the top of the list. This isn’t worrying, though, as in Week 2, he should return to form vs. the Jaguars.
Fantasy Points: 5.4 (PPR)
Why It’s Disappointing: While some expected Zach Charbonnet to get involved, they didn’t expect him to essentially split carries almost 50/50 with Kenneth Walker. We will have to see in Week 2 vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers, but Walker having just 10 carries for 20 yards, while being more inefficient vs. Charbonnet, makes him a shaky start moving forward.
- Bonus Bust
Bo Nix, QB- Denver Broncos
If you took Bo Nix in the middle rounds, this is not what you were expecting against the Tennessee Titans, as it was an ugly win for the Denver Broncos. He had just 8.8 fantasy points and had multiple turnovers, with less than 200 passing yards as well, and was limited as a rusher. Given where you had to take him, this was a disappointing first outing for 2025.
Conclusion
In conclusion, many high-profile players, especially at wide receiver and running back, flat out busted, and none had over 30 fantasy points in PPR. It’s hard not to overreact, but it is just a one-game sample. Most of the time, in the following game, the production usually overcorrects itself.
